Reentry begins at incarceration

Brian T. Watson, Salem News-

"Sheriff Ashe's smart reentry programs are yielding good results. Tracked for the past 10 years, the recidivism rate of Hampden County ex-cons is just 19 percent. By quite a margin, that beats the statewide rate of roughly 40 to 45 percent.

When we consider that Massachusetts state prisons and county jails together constantly hold about 23,000 offenders — 16,000 of whom are released and replaced every year — we can understand why it is so important to rehabilitate these individuals.

 

The human and financial costs of just dumping broken, angry young men back onto the street are great. Ashe is demonstrating that wiser strategies can break the recidivism cycle, save tax dollars and help inmates build new lives."

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Hiring?

"There are more than 6 million ex-prisoners in the United States, according to a recent study, with 600,000 added to the total every year. Research suggests the best way to keep them from landing behind bars again is to reinvest in them, which includes finding them employment, but most business owners are reluctant to give them a shot. Some, though, take the chance. ..." Read more at Business News Daily online.